BIGGLES OF BARNACK FLIES AGAIN !
On Father’s Day, my unexpected treat was to fly in a type of aircraft worlds apart from the previous one (Parish Magazine November 2023). As a special gift for family or friends, this is something very different. Neil Robinson, a former RAF Jet Provost pilot, runs Red Kite Airsports, based at Deenethorpe airfield, near Corby. He offers Air Experience flights in a flex-wing microlight – essentially a 9 metre wide delta wing over a 2 seat trike unit with a 100 h.p engine behind to power the propellor.
30 minute flights are available for £110, or 60 minutes for £150 – a bargain !
After zipping me in to a quilted flight suit, we walked out to the aircraft, where I was fitted with headphones and a very snug helmet. Necessary safety instructions and flight checks followed, before we taxied onto the runway. A warning was sent to the radio controlled model aircraft enthusiasts nearby alerting them to our pending departure, and then, after a very short ground run, we were up !
Gaining altitude surprisingly fast – Neil wanted to get out of the turbulent air below the cumulus clouds – I was astonished when he said that we had reached 4,000’. During my wonderful trip in a 2 seat Spitfire I don’t believe we got above 3,000’.
The wonderful views took in the vast warehouses of Corby, Rockingham Castle, the Welland valley, Eyebrook Reservoir, Deene Park and more. Oh yes – and also of Red Kites below us !
By this time, the air was much calmer, but also cooler, and I appreciated the need for warm kit. After a brief spell in control, the 30 minutes passed all too quickly and it was time to descend.
In doing so, we reflected on the courage of the USAAF B17 “Flying Fortress” crews who had used the same runway 80 years earlier. A very smooth landing was followed by a debrief, coffee and a chat with some other flyers in the clubhouse. For an unforgettable experience, contact Neil at redkiteairsports.co.uk, or call 07950 033622.
Michael Cunliffe-Lister
BARNACK FUN RUN 2025
SAVE THE DATE
This year’s annual Fun Run will take place on Saturday 4th October 2025.
This event is for everyone so please save the date. More information coming soon!
Poppy Appeal Organisers
My wife and I have just taken over the role of Poppy Appeal Organisers for Barnack and surrounding villages from Columb Hannah who has done a fantastic job facilitating this for many years.
As you are probably aware, this appeal is organised by The Royal British Legion who do not just just serve as a portal for Remembrance but also serve families of Armed Forces both young and old.
As a point of note, our local Royal British Legion Branch has raised approximately £70,000 in the past 11 years which is extremely impressive- this deserves a well deserved thank you to Colomb and your team of volunteers for your dedicated hard work. It is with this in mind I am writing this as an appeal to anyone who would like to volunteer as a collector.
If you are interested please contact myself, Paul Dawson on 07730 534234 or email pauldaws4@btopenworld.com
With many thanks, Paul and Gill Dawson
Messy Church
For the July Messy Church, instead of meeting in Barnack Church, we’ll again be having an annual barbeque and games at Holly Cottage (PE9 3EY, at the end of Wittering Road, Barnack, opposite the carpark for the Hills and Holes).
It will be on a Sunday 20th July and slightly longer than usual (from 3.30pm to 5.30pm), so we have plenty of time to eat loads and have lots of fun!
Please come and join us for some family fun and relaxation. BBQ food and drink will be provided, so just bring yourselves!
If you are organized and remember, please tell Mike Mills (phone or text on 07523 312 387) in advance that you’ll be coming, to assist planning.
Special Services
At 6 pm on Friday 11 July we will once again be holding a special Evensong for the John Clare weekend. Traditional BCP Evensong, this year with the Helpston Choir Plus Friends, with hymns based on poems by John Clare.
“God in the Garden” in Bainton on 20 July at 4.30 pm will be on the subject “The Memory of Trees”.
Instead of the regular morning communion, on Sunday 27 July we will have a more relaxed, informal 4.30pm “Folk Communion” at St Mary’s Bainton.
The Buttercross Club
Our speaker, Sandra Jones, who is a member of Buttercross, had to cancel her talk on summer entertaining because she was unwell. Judy Robinson, another of our members, kindly agreed to step in with a talk on food safety, a subject she used to teach and which is particularly relevant in summer when picnics and barbecues are so popular. She began by saying that it is a misconception that you can always tell if food is no longer safe. If that were so there would be far fewer cases of food poisoning.
E. Coli, Salmonella, Campylobacter and Listeria are the four most common types of food poisoning. Each of these can cause serious illness and, in some instances, even fatalities. Salmonella, for example, is often associated with undercooked poultry and eggs, causing symptoms such as diarrhoea and vomiting. Barbecues can be particularly risky and food hygiene is of the utmost importance. Great care is needed when handling raw food and waste food, Cleanliness is required at all times – hand washing, covering fresh food to protect from flies, and so on.
Moist, high protein foods can trigger food poisoning if they are handled inappropriately so great care must be taken with fish, meat, cheese, eggs, shellfish, pâtés, mayonnaise, milk and cream. Pickled and salted foods are safer because the bacteria which cause food poisoning cannot grow. Buffets can present a danger if great care is not taken. Food that is high protein and moist,such as shellfish, fish, meat, cream and egg, and are already cooked, can be particularly dangerous. She also advised microwaving chicken before you barbecue it.
Judy pointed out that the key to preventing illness caused by what you eat is, of course, ensuring you handle food properly. Do not, for example, handle raw food and cooked food with the same utensils unwashed between uses. If you are reheating food that has been kept in a fridge ensure the food is piping hot and never re-heat food more than once. There are certain foods which should never be re-heated. Judy said rice is dicey – do not re-heat more than once. She also reminded us of the family who died of botulism because there was a hole in the tin containing the salmon they ate. Botulism is the most dangerous food bacteria.
One very useful tip is to use a monitor to check food is fully cooked. Lots of people enjoy cheese which is mouldy but this has been done very carefully and deliberately so that it can be safely consumed. Care should be taken with soft cheeses, some of which are made with unpasteurised milk, as they can cause food poisoning. People will perhaps recall Edwina Currie’s assertion that “most of the egg production in this country is affected with salmonella,” This was checked and found to be untrue. However, chicken should be well-cooked. We are advised to be careful of salad washed in water when abroad. At home it is also sensible to clean it with care as at source it may have been washed in chlorine.
As a conclusion to her talk Judy emphasised the importance of cleanliness when handling food: keep high risk food away from bugs, bleach your dishcloth every night, and use a clean tea towel every day.
Diary dates: The next meeting will be on Wednesday, July 2nd at 7pm and is a talk entitled The History of Stamford Burghley given by Michael Crowe
The Arts Society Peterborough Summer 2025 Activities
What to look out for over the summer months
Exhibition in The Museum 5th July -16th August
We will be running some art/craft activities for your children/grand-children during the week beginning 4th August so come and join us there!
Guided Arts Trail of City Centre on: open to all
Friday June 20th
Thursday July 10th
Thursday August 14th
all start at 10-30am and we meet at the Waitrose café, booking required, £5-00 per person £10 for family of 4. Max group size 12. contact: sheila.brown222@btinternet.com
For further information visit our website: the-arts-society-peterborough.org.uk